Bylaws

To represent the interests of all residents and business owners within Heritage.

To promote an inclusive and friendly environment.

To promote a more walkable, bikeable, and transit-friendly neighborhood.

To encourage people to live in Heritage.

To support businesses in the neighborhood.

To promote policies that encourage diversity in both use and population.

All other objectives as approved by the Board of Directors or membership.

ARTICLE II. NEIGHBORHOOD BOUNDARY

The neighborhood association boundary is as follows: northern edge is bounded by 38th St; western edge is bounded by Lamar Blvd; southern edge is bounded by 29th St; and the eastern edge is bounded by Guadalupe St.

ARTICLE III. OFFICERS

The Board of Directors will consist of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and three additional board members.

The Chairperson shall call and preside at all meetings, shall act for and in behalf of the membership of the association, shall appoint any special committees necessary for the operation of association business, and shall act as official spokesperson for the association.

The Vice Chairperson shall, in the absence of the Chairperson, assume all of the duties of that office and shall be responsible for publicity and notifications of meetings of the association.

The Secretary shall keep a permanent record of all formal meetings and all legal documents and legal transactions of the association. The Secretary shall transcribe the minutes of each meeting and shall maintain a file copy of same.

The Treasurer shall keep all financial receipts and a permanent record of all financial business of the association. An up-to-date financial report shall be submitted at each meeting.

The remaining board members shall serve in the capacity of gathering and disseminating information critical to the implementation of the purpose of the association.

ARTICLE IV. MEMBERSHIP

The membership of this association shall consist of residents or businesses within the neighborhood who have submitted their names on/for a membership list and have had their identity verified by the association. Verification will require the following:

A state issued photo ID with a Heritage address, OR

A photo ID along with one piece of unopened mail with a Heritage address, OR

Other forms of identification deemed reasonable by the Board of Directors

Membership shall be open to all residents or businesses within the boundaries of the association, as described herein.

A Voting Member shall be a person or business that has established membership in the association. Each person over the age of 18 or business within the neighborhood shall be entitled to one vote.

ARTICLE V. COMMITTEES

The Chairperson shall have the power to appoint committees as necessary to implement the purposes of the association.

The Chairperson shall be an ex-officio member of all committees.

ARTICLE VI. MEETINGS

An Annual Meeting shall be held during the month of January at a time and place designated by the Board of Directors.

At least a seven (7) day notice shall be provided in advance of any association meeting. Every effort will be made to notify all interested parties and members of the Association of upcoming meetings either by electronic communication, direct mailing, pamphlets, newsletters, or announcements at regularly scheduled meetings.

All meetings shall be public and open to any interested persons.

ARTICLE VII. VOTING

All voting involving the membership will be done online based on the voter database maintained by the Association.

The initial founding Board of Directors shall serve for the first full calendar year, and a new board will be elected at the next Annual Meeting. Board members shall hold office for a term of one year or until successors are elected. The term of office shall begin at the close of the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting shall be held in January with the date set by the Board of Directors.

The Board of Directors will be responsible for the content of what is being voted on, the wording of the voting language, and if an item is voted on.

Any member can request the Board of Directors put an item up for a vote. The decision to vote on an item is made by a majority of the Board of Directors.

All vote selections remain strictly confidential and may never be accessed by anyone including the members of the Board of Directors.

All voter personal information such as email addresses, home addresses, or phone numbers will remain strictly confidential. Only the Board of Directors will have access to personal voter information and may never provide that information. Voter names may be provided and may appear with voting.

The Board of Directors will be responsible for verifying the identity of individuals applying for voting membership.

Voter rolls shall be checked yearly to verify voter eligibility.

All votes will remain open for at least 48 hours.

All votes will be announced on the Friends of Heritage forum at least 7 days before the closing date of a vote.

Nominations of Officers shall be made by a slate presented from the Board of Directors. Voting members can nominate candidates for consideration to the Board of Directors. Officers are elected by the voting membership.

Upon installation of the Board of Directors members whose terms begin at the close of the Annual Meeting, all documents, records, and any materials pertaining to the duties of the office as designated in the bylaws which are in the possession of the outgoing Officers shall be submitted to the newly elected counterpart within 14 days of the installation.

Any vacancy occurring during the term of any Officer shall be filled by appointment by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE IX. FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

Expenditure of funds of the association may not be made without the signatures of at least two (2) of the Officers and the Treasurer.

Financial records and funds of the association shall be audited at least once a year by a committee of at least two (2) Voting Members of the Association appointed by the Chairperson prior to a new Treasurer’s taking office.

ARTICLE X. AMENDMENT OF BYLAWS

These bylaws may be amended by a majority vote of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XI. GENERAL

Meeting discussions will be conducted in a conversational format with special regard for a dialogue that is respectful and considerate of all in attendance.

If any part of the Bylaws or the application thereof is hereafter held invalid or unenforceable, the remainder shall not be affected thereby, and only the affected portions are declared eliminated.

No officer, representative, spokesperson or member shall have any financial or legal liability of the association.